Recipients

2007	Beth and Gary Hoover	The Real Thing
2006	Anita Skibski	Mine
2005	Mike Miller	Ten and a Half
2004	John Dart & Jeff Swanson	The SnowMen
2003	Inis Clubs	Curtin of Iron
2002	Martin Blinder	Catch the Devil
2001	Craig Clyde	Nowhere Man
2000	George Borelli	The Jewel and the Sword
1999	Todd Riddle	The Death of Feziweg Zero

"The Mick Caswell Award is presented annually to the winner of the ASA International Screenplay Competition. This prestigious award recognizes the winning screenwriter for their talent and achievement, and also honors the memory of Mick Caswell. Mick was an original member of ASA who passed away in 1998. His boundless energy and unparalleled love for movies and life still inspires us today."
John E. Johnson, Executive Director, ASA

"Mick was born April 29,1968.  He was 30 years old when he passed away on July 3, 1998 and lived life to the fullest each and every day... he LOVED life!  He was a VERY INTELLIGENT young man and even the film company that he worked with made that statement about him. They didn't know him for long, but were so impressed by his work ethics and his intelligence, not only in film making, but in all subjects. I always told everyone he was my "walking encyclopedia and dictionary." 

Mick was an honor student and got his Masters Degree in Audio/Visual and TV/Movie Production/Communications from Morehead State University. He also played many musical instruments well. During his college days Mick had his own band and produced sound tracks for bands that performed in Chicago and New York.  He was news anchor while in Morehead and did commercials for TV.  He also studied for awhile in Japan and wrote articles for a Travel Magazine on their culture and the knowledge he gained while there and from his trips to England and Ireland. 

After college, he continued on his own to research and study all aspects of film making.  His knowledge of movies/film industry and behind the scenes technology was astounding.  He couldn't get enough of it. He was so enthused and loved every minute of it. It seems ironic that his dream to work in this industry came true and then was taken from this earth so suddenly and unexpectedly.

At the time of his death he had just completed the movie April's Fool, a Turner-Hader Production which is an Independent Film Company. He was the continuity director (script supervisor) working closely with Paul Geiger, the director of the movie. At this time, major movie companies are interested in the film. Also, the Film Company is dedicating the movie, April's Fool in memory of Mick. Mick was to commence work on the movie This Train before his untimely death. 

Mick had just completed a screenplay a week or so before his death.  He had written other short stories and loved writing and anything pertaining to the film industry. He was in the process of making a documentary and was behind the camera/camcorder constantly. 

Mick had many opportunities to work in this chosen career, but he stayed around Maysville after his grandmother had a stroke. He worked as a manager for a Comic Book/Novelty Shop to be nearby and help the family. Mick once said, "You know, my grandmother won't be here forever and I have my whole life ahead of me."  That was the kind of person he was and that is why he was loved by so many. Sadly, Mick's grandmother died exactly one week before Mick passed away. 

Mick touched the lives of many people... young and old. He was an honest, loving, caring and fun person...such a bright spirit and so enthusiastic about life. He loved his grandmother, myself and his friends very much. His friends and family were the most important people in his life, and film making and the people he worked with and all that goes with it was his greatest love."

Genie Caswell